Wednesday, 8 January 2014

Today's chapel focused on the freedom we enjoy to practice
our faith and on prayer for those Christians in the world who do not have the
same freedom.

Bible teacher Neale Robb shared some facts and stories about
Christians around the world, showing video and audio clips from Christians in
places like North Korea, Kazakhstan, Africa, India or Pakistan, who had been persecuted,
beaten and tortured for their faith.

Robb said persecution is the mistreatment of an individual
or group because of their faith. He said it is estimated that there are more
than 250 million Christians in 130 different countries who are persecuted. Persecution
includes acts of hatred, second-class citizenship, job discrimination, forced
conversion, imprisonment, torture, rape and death.

Visit the Voice of the Martyrs website to view some of the videos we watched.

Matthew 24:9 Then you will be handed over to
be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of
me.

Mathew 5:10 Blessed are those who are
persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

John 15:20 Remember what I told you: If they
persecuted me, they will persecute you also.

Matthew 5: 43-44 You have heard that it was
said, ‘Love your neighborand hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your
enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Romans 8:35, 37 Who shall separate us from the
love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness
or danger or sword?No, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through him who loved us.

After chapel, students prayed for persecuted Christians in
their homeroom classes, with prayer suggestions for Christians in Burma, India,
Bangladesh and Nigeria.

Some of the prayer requests include:

Pray for Christians living as religious minorities, that
they would not be overcome by a spirit of fear, and that they would be
encouraged and affirmed.

Pray for those who choose to lead the persecuted church.

Pray for children who are persecuted for their faith, that
the Holy Spirit comforts them in their time of need.

Pray for the freedom of young girls who are trafficked into
the sex trade and for the abolition of sex trafficking around the world.

Pray for believers who are challenged to compromise their
faith.

We also listened to "City on a Hill" by City
Harmonic. Watch the video here: City On A Hill

And Mr. Robb also told a few jokes.

He said that over the Christmas holidays he spent some time
reading the Bible, and one of the stories he read was about Boaz. That got him
wondering about the character of Boaz, especially about his character when he
was a young man, before he married the widow, Ruth.

"Do you know about his character?" Robb asked.
"He was ruthless."

Robb also said that when he was a young pastor he once went
to pay a visit to the home of a member of his congregation. He knocked several
times on the door, and although he was pretty sure someone was home, no one
ever answered. Finally, before leaving, Robb left his business card in the
mailbox with a Scripture reference noted on the back: Revelation 3:20.

Robb said the following Sunday, the parishioner left his
business card in the offering plate, also with a Scripture reference on the
back: Genesis 3:10.

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and
opens the door, I will come in.

Genesis
3:10 I
heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.

About Me

Smithville Christian High School is a friendly, welcoming place where students of all denominations and all walks of life are impacted daily by the instruction and example of caring Christian teachers. Every day, in every class, students learn that our world belongs to God and they have a role in shaping it for Christ.